Post #500 - time

Time is crazy.  This is post #500 on this platform.  Granted, we spent almost a year doing this blog through iWeb and so we probably passed 500 a few months back, but it is still a milestone.  And, that is what we have been thinking about lately.  Capturing moments.  Milestones.  Our time is ticking fast.  We have 3 days left in Jamaica.  Our hearts are in shambles and we dont know what to think.  We hosted a great team last week and we are mostly packed up, but that doesn't make the emotions go away.  Today was our last Sunday in church.  After church, we said goodbye to our friends at the local infirmary.  And, we know these last 2 days of cleaning a packing are going to be a whirlwind.  I am sure the randomness of this post is "case in point" for how our brains are functioning.  We are confident in moving forward and therefore we are on the roller coaster, but it doesnt look like this ride is going to end any time soon.

June Update

Plattner Family Jamaica Update - June 2012

    If we took all of the “greetings and farewells” from the letters of the Apostle Paul, what would we find?  I started thinking about this in relation to our saying goodbye.  I have not done the full study and scoured each example, but as I think over the example Paul provides, I think of some themes that bubble to the top.  I am sure there are more, but I see Paul focusing on three things; giving thanks, sharing the longing heart he has for the people, and the sharing of foundational truths that he wants them to always remember.  While I am not saying we are sharing Paul’s heart exactly, we are experiencing this feeling in a profound way.  First, we must give thanks.  Thanks for the sustaining grace of God and for all of the love that has been shared with us from our friends here in Jamaica.  God has been good to us and we can’t find the right ways to fully express our gratitude.  Also, we will deeply miss our friends and coworkers.  Our hearts long for ways to be able to shrink the miles and continue these relationships, but just as Paul knew, the calling of God meant that the fellowship would be different.  And third, our hearts have been bursting with a desire to see the foundational truths of our God indelibly marked on the hearts of the believers in Jamaica.  As we considered our final chapel messages to the students, we wanted to leave them with a Pauline type treaty to remember the truths of our God.  Because, we know that it is only through the grace of God that we can have the hope that these relationships and goodbyes are not final.
           
Our past month has been like nothing else we have experienced.  While it has many similar characteristics to our time leaving the states and moving to Jamaica, it feels different.  Similarly, we have experienced the profound joy of pursuing a new opportunity that we believe is right.  But, this has been followed simultaneously with the deep sorrow that many of our relationships will be difficult to continue at the level that we wish.  And, the thing that is different is the feeling that we know we are leaving work “on the table.”  So, the combination of both the greater finality in the closure of relationships combined with a strong sense of work remaining to be done in Jamaica makes this transition different and difficult.  But again, we don’t say that in any sense of despair, as we are excited and confident in the new work that the Lord has provided and in the Lord’s provision for the continuing of the work in Jamaica.
          
 The details of our transition remain fuzzy, but are becoming clear.  Lord willing, we will be flying on July 18th and will be hitting the ground on the run.  After arriving back in the states we will be continuing work on determining our long-term location.  This will be combined with some initial meetings as well as family gatherings.  Therefore, after arriving in the states, we will be on the move for at least the first three weeks.  We are looking forward to catching up with many of you and sharing in fellowship.
          
 Our family is adjusting to everything well.  The kids share our mixed emotions.  They have been processing the idea of moving back.  One time, they will loath the idea of moving and express a desire to just stay in Jamaica.  Then, a little later, they will process the idea of Grandma’s house and cousins, then that changes everything.  I think it will similarly take them time to grasp the ramifications of this move.  Jamaica is all they know and they have adapted quite well, but we pray for God’s grace in filling the gaps of their heart in this move.
          
 As we mentioned above, gratitude has been a side effect as we consider our move.  And, a significant aspect of that gratitude is for all of your love, support, and prayers.  There is no way for us to fully understand and comprehend the fullness of love shared with us over the past five years.  Thank you so much and we pray that we can pass that blessing on in the future.

Claudine

Claudine's Family

 Claudine has been a part of our family now for three years.  Soon after Daisha was born, she began helping us everyday with the kids.  She came as a student and helper and she has since become a friend and a daughter.  Our hearts are torn, knowing our time here is short and our goodbyes are coming.  Claudine has shown a genuine love and care for our children and a respect for our family.  Likewise, our children have attached themselves to her.  On occasion we've had opportunities to meet her family.  This past Sunday we were so honored to be their guests.  It was special for us to see where Claudine grew up, meet her Grandparents, and spend time with her family.  We were touched by their love and generosity.  It's a unique opportunity, when different culture and backgrounds combine, and we praise God for it!

 Please pray for Claudine as she will no longer be with our family.  We pray that she will continue to stay positive and seek God's direction in her life.  We are hopeful she will find good employment this summer.

Father Hunger - a book review

Father Hunger, subtitled, “Why God calls men to love and lead their families,” is a profound book on fatherhood.  The book is a foundational look at the roles and responsibilities of fathers.  The book uses significant theological, ideological, sociological, political, and economic arguments for the importance of fatherhood.  With candor and authenticity, the thesis is laid out as to the high calling of fathers as being fully responsible for their families.  This calling of fathers is also then contrasted with the trends and status of fathers at-large in society today.  In all, the call on fathers for their families is a sobering and humbling truth that we must commit fully to the sufficiency of God’s grace.

         

   Father Hunger is not your everyday book on fatherhood.  I have read many books on fatherhood and this one is different.  This book contains no five easy steps to having better conversations with your children, no heart-warming stories.  This is a foundational type book.  And, that is not to say that it is not practical, it is simply a different kind of parenting book. For example, the book begins by noting from the account of Jesus’ baptism, the approach of the Father.  First, the Father was there.  Second, He made His presence felt by sending the dove.  Third, He made His presence known by expressing identification with the Son.  Fourth, He expressed His love for His son.  And fifth, He expressed His pleasure in His Son.  What a profound look at our role as Fathers.

          

   The book covers the broad spectrum of fatherhood and related issues.  This is the point at which I had the most disagreements with the book.  I appreciated the overview of such significant social issues, but the approach felt too broad and scattered.  I do fully believe that fatherhood is foundational to every aspect of society and I do believe it is a crisis.  Also, I do believe that it starts with the Church and remains the responsibilities of followers of Christ to hold out the standard for society.  And, I pray that many of the treatises in this book are heeded and fatherhood in America becomes the God-honoring institution to which we were called.

Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from the publisher through the BookSneeze®.com book review bloggers program. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own.